If you say the words
Daytona Beach to a person with even a
minimal amount golf knowledge, more than
likely their mind's eye will draw up images
of unending, gorgeous golf courses and
fantasies of some of the best golfing that
can be found anywhere in the world. And
there is a good reason why that is so.
Daytona Beach is fast becoming
recognized, not for its beaches and
unsurpassed nightlife, but for the fun that
it offers on the green. In fact, Daytona
Beach is so interconnected with this sport,
that it is rapidly becoming known as
Florida's golf capital and is the new home
of the Ladies Professional Golf Association
(LPGA), which recently moved their
headquarters to Daytona from Texas.
Boasting of more than 30 golf courses
including 20 championship golf courses, one
could view Daytona as a sea of green and a
golfer's paradise. From beginner courses to
advanced courses, Daytona's golfing scene
has an attraction for every golfing
enthusiast no matter what his or her
experience level.
Daytona's championship golf courses line
the 23-mile expanse of the Daytona Beach
coastline. With temperatures averaging
little more than 70 degrees, Daytona's golf
courses are ideal for spending an entire day
on the green. And with great restaurants,
resorts and area attractions nearby, a
golfing vacation to Daytona is one that the
whole family can enjoy.
One of the most popular golfing spots of
the Daytona Beach area is Pelican Bay. This
18-hole champion golf course, designed by
Lloyd Clifton, winds through a wilderness
area complete with a series of water canals
and lakes. This course is also visited often
by area wildlife so you may just find
yourself enjoying more than a relaxing round
of golf under the Florida sun.
Another popular course among golfers is
the Spruce Creek Country Club. Consisting of
nearly 7,000 yards of fairways, lakes and
greens, the Spruce Creek Country Club's
course, designed by Bill Amick, sports 18
holes and perfectly manicured grounds.
And golfing at one of the more than 30
golf courses in the Daytona Beach is very
affordable when it's not free. That's right,
free. During the months of May through
October, Daytona hosts a free golfing
program where you can golf for free on many
of the premier courses in the Daytona Beach
area. This program is sponsored by the Golf
Daytona Beach organization and is a favorite
among die-hard golfers because greens fees
can really add up if you golf everyday. The
program works like this: If you stay at a
participating hotel for two or more
consecutive nights, you'll get a free round
of golf for each day of your stay. You must
play after noon, and cart fees are extra,
but with greens fees averaging $30 per day,
the free golf program is an exceptional
deal.
While golfing for free everyday would be
nice, it's not always possible. Some
actually have to pay to play a round of
golf. But when you have to pay in Daytona,
it is more affordable than what you might
think. With more than 20 champion golf
courses designed by pros such as Arnold
Palmer, Gary Player, Arthur Hills, Rees
Jones and Lloyd Clifton, you might expect to
pay an arm and a leg to golf these
exceptional courses. But in fact, many offer
very affordable rates, and when combined
with accommodations packages, you can save
an unbelievable amount of money.
You can even golf one of two premier
courses of the LPGA for a reasonable price.
One of those courses is known as The
Champions Course and is the site of the
prestigious LPGA Mercury Titleholders event.
The second course, The Legends, just opened
for public play last October. The LPGA
facility also features a teaching academy
with practice holes, greens and a driving
range.
In addition to all of the great golfing
to be had in the Daytona, Florida area,
there are beaches, shops, fine restaurants,
museums, attractions and entertainment
galore. And who could forget that Disney
World is less than an hour away. So, if you
are looking for a dream vacation getaway for
your family and a relaxing week of golf for
yourself, Daytona may be just the spot to
make all of your vacation dreams come true.
